Longtime Loudoun Del. Joe May loses GOP primary

RICHMOND, Va. – Senior Republican Del. Joe May has lost his bid for an 11th term to a conservative primary challenger with tea party support.

The 76-year-old inventor is one of the General Assembly’s wealthiest members and serves as chairman of the Transportation Committee.

May took about 40 percent of the vote in his affluent district based in Loudoun County during Tuesday’s primary.

Challenger David LaRock said he decided to target May’s nomination because of his support for the $1.4 billion transportation funding reform bill that passed this year and takes effect next month.

The issue split Virginia Republicans with conservatives denouncing it as the largest tax increase in Virginia history and supporters defending it as a step necessary to preserve economic growth in northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

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